IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO

EASTERN DIVISION

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff,

vs. Case No. 2:13-cr-122

Judge James L. Graham

Magistrate Judge Elizabeth P. Deavers

JOHN G. BRIGGS, JR.,

Defendant.

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION

The United States of America and Defendant John G. Briggs, Jr. entered into a plea

agreement whereby Defendant agreed to enter a plea of guilty to an Indictment charging in Count

One with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in violation 18 U.S.C.

§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i) and in Count Three with possession with intent to distribute marijuana in violation

of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(D). On September 19, 2013, Defendant, accompanied by his

counsel, appeared for a hearing to withdraw his previously entered plea of not guilty and to change

his plea to guilty. Defendant consented, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(3), to enter a guilty plea

before a Magistrate Judge. See United States v. Cukaj, 2001 WL 1587410 at *1 (6th Cir.

2001)(Magistrate Judge may accept a guilty plea with the express consent of the Defendant and

where no objection to the report and recommendation is filed).

During the plea proceeding, the undersigned observed the appearance and responsiveness

of Defendant in answering questions. Based on that observation, the undersigned is satisfied that,

at the time he entered his guilty plea, Defendant was in full possession of his faculties, was not

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suffering from any apparent physical or mental illness, and was not under the influence of narcotics

or alcohol. 

Prior to accepting Defendant’s plea, the undersigned addressed him personally and in open

court and determined his competence to plead. Based on the observations of the undersigned,

Defendant understands the nature and meaning of the charge returned in the Indictment and the

consequences of his plea. Defendant was also addressed personally and in open court and advised

of each of the rights referred to in Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. 

Having engaged in the colloquy required by Rule 11, the Court concludes that Defendant’s

plea is voluntary. Defendant acknowledged that the plea agreement signed by him, his attorney and

the attorney for the United States and filed on September 6, 2013, represents the only promises made

to him by anyone regarding the charges in the Indictment. Defendant was advised that the District

Judge may accept or reject the plea agreement and that, even if the Court refuses to accept any

provision of the plea agreement not binding on the Court, Defendant may nevertheless not withdraw

his guilty plea. 

Defendant confirmed the accuracy of the material aspects of the statement of facts supporting

the charge. He confirmed that he is pleading guilty to Counts One and Three of the Indictment

because he is in fact guilty of the offense charged in the Indictment. The Court concludes that there

is a factual basis for the plea. 

The Court concludes that Defendant’s plea of guilty to Counts One and Three of the

Indictment is knowingly and voluntarily made with the understanding of the nature and meaning of

the charge and of the consequences of his plea. 

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It is therefore RECOMMENDED that Defendant John G. Briggs, Jr.’s guilty plea to Counts

One and Three of the Indictment be accepted. Decision on acceptance or rejection of the plea

agreement was deferred for consideration by the District Judge after the preparation of a presentence

investigation report. 

In accordance with S.D. Ohio Crim. R. 32.1, a written presentence investigation report will

be prepared by the United States Probation Office. Defendant will be asked to provide information

and his attorney may be present if Defendant so wishes. Objections to the presentence report must

be made in accordance with the rules of this Court. 

If any party seeks review by the District Judge of this Report and Recommendation, that

party may, within fourteen (14) days, file and serve on all parties objections to the Report and

Recommendation, specifically designating this Report and Recommendation, and the part thereof

in question, as well as the basis for objection thereto. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1); Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b). 

Response to objections must be filed within fourteen (14) days after being served with a copy

thereof. Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b). 

The parties are specifically advised that the failure to object to the Report and

Recommendation will result in a waiver of the right to de novo review by the District Judge and

waiver of the right to appeal the judgment of the District Court. See, e.g., Pfahler v. Nat’l Latex

Prod. Co., 517 F.3d 816, 829 (6th Cir. 2007) (holding that “failure to object to the magistrate judge’s

recommendations constituted a waiver of [the defendant’s] ability to appeal the district court’s

ruling”); United States v. Sullivan, 431 F.3d 976, 984 (6th Cir. 2005) (holding that defendant waived

appeal of district court’s denial of pretrial motion by failing to timely object to magistrate judge's

report and recommendation). Even when timely objections are filed, appellate review of issues not

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raised in those objections is waived. Robert v. Tesson, 507 F.3d 981, 994 (6th Cir. 2007) (“[A]

general objection to a magistrate judge’s report, which fails to specify the issues of contention, does

not suffice to preserve an issue for appeal . . . .”) (citation omitted)).

DATE: September 19, 2013 s/ Elizabeth A. Preston Deavers 

ELIZABETH A. PRESTON DEAVERS

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 

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